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Frankie (The Answer) Edgar is on the cusp of etching his name in the history books.

Following a successful run at lightweight — which included a 22-month title reign — Edgar challenges featherweight champion Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 156 in Las Vegas Saturday.

Not only does a victory mean another world championship, but it cements Edgar’s name alongside Randy Couture and B.J. Penn as the only fighters to win UFC titles in two separate weight classes.

Edgar knows what’s at stake, but said he can’t afford to lose focus against an opponent as dangerous as Aldo.

“It’s never really been done, except for Randy Couture and B.J. Penn — and they’re legends in our sport,” Edgar said on a recent conference call. “So to be mentioned with guys like that, it kinda speaks for itself. I’m not trying to look for it just by itself. Obviously, I’m just focused on my next fight. If I win my next fight, it takes care of everything, me winning my title and me becoming a two weight-class champion.

“I can’t even look past (Aldo) because that would be a big mistake on my part.”

Despite being the top lightweight in the world for almost two years, Edgar was constantly asked about a potential drop to featherweight. Now that he’s actually made the move, the Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu representative admitted he feels great at 145 pounds.

“It’s pretty much just been positives,” Edgar said. “When I was at 155, I forced myself to eat more and lift a little heavy to try and put on size. Now I just feel more natural. I feel like my conditioning’s better, I’m a little bit quicker and it’s a little less stressful not having to worry about eating every two hours.

“When I went down, I wasn’t expecting an immediate title shot. I was prepared to do what I had to do to get myself in this position. When (Erik Koch) got hurt, I took the replacement fight and this lined up.”

Edgar’s decision to drop to featherweight comes on the heels of consecutive losses to Benson Henderson. The former WEC titleholder dethroned Edgar via unanimous decision last February, before snagging a controversial split decision six months later.

Though many fans and journalists feel Edgar was robbed in the rematch, Aldo said Henderson deserved the victory.

“Not only have I watched that fight once, but I’ve watched it various times as part of the practice for preparing myself to fight Frankie Edgar,” Aldo said through a translator. “I watched that fight, but I do believe Benson Henderson was better that night.”

Just as Edgar is arriving in the featherweight division, Aldo could be leaving. The talented Brazilian striker has long said he struggles to reach the 145-pound weight limit. He’s also revealed he views Edgar as a test for a potential run at lightweight. If he’s able to beat a former 155-pound champion, he will know he belongs in the division.

However, Aldo said a potential jump to lightweight is the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.

“Right now my focus is strictly on the fight,” Aldo said. “I’m not thinking about that right now. I’m 100% focused on the fight, going out there and giving my best. Once that happens, then I’ll sit back and think about what my next steps will be.”

Though Edgar fought the who’s who at lightweight, Aldo could prove to be his toughest opponent to date. A vicious striker and Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt with stellar takedown defence, Aldo has thrived against wrestlers. However, Edgar said he’s never met a fighter he couldn’t take down.

“He’s just one of the more dynamic strikers. He’s more explosive and athletic than maybe some of the guys I fought at 155,” Edgar said. “I’m ready for the takedown if it comes, I’m ready to stand with him, but I’m definitely going to test the waters for the takedown. I come from a wrestling background and there hasn’t been anybody I haven’t been able to take down yet. I’m going to go out there and look for the takedown.

“I don’t think one particular weapon (is most dangerous). He has a lot of tools in his striking and we’ve seen he has great offensive takedowns and great takedown defence. I can’t just say one thing because he’s well rounded.”

Even though Edgar is dropping from lightweight, he’s still the smaller fighter, giving up one inch in height and two inches in reach to Aldo. Edgar knows he needs to utilize his speed and feints to beat the Nova Uniao fighter to the punch. In order to get prepared for Aldo’s style, Edgar has been training with Brazilian KO artist Edson Barboza.

“Edson’s been a huge piece of this camp and is definitely a great new teammate,” Edgar said. “I think his Muay Thai — it doesn’t get any better than that. He’s a little bit bigger, too. He’s got great takedown defence, as well. Him, along with one of his old training partners, Marlon Moraes, (I’ve been) doing round-robins with them on a daily basis. They’ve got me more than ready.”

DIAZ SET TO MEET PUNK

Nate Diaz will welcome Josh (The Punk) Thomson back to the UFC.

The two are set to meet at UFC on FOX 7

in San Jose, Calif. April 20. The card will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between Benson Henderson and Gilbert Melendez.

Ironically, both Diaz and Thomason are coming off failed bids to dethrone the main- event fighters.

Thomson dropped a debatable split decision to Melendez in their rubber match at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier in May. As for Diaz, he was picked apart for five rounds by Henderson at UFC on FOX 5 in December.

For Thomson, this marks his first bout under the UFC banner in almost nine years. After picking up consecutive wins over Hermes Franca and Gerald Strebendt, he suffered a highlight reel KO loss against Yves Edwards at UFC 49 on Aug. 21, 2004. Thomson hasn’t been finished since.

Currently riding a six-fight win streak, Healy was set to challenge Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez on two separate occasions, but Melendez pulled out both times due to injury. Miller returned to the win column in December, edging Joe Lauzon in one of the best fights of 2012.

The two will face in a light-heavyweight tournament semi-final at Bellator 90 in Salt Lake City on Feb. 21.

Lawal returned to MMA at Bellator 86 last week, ending a one-year layoff with a thunderous KO victory over Przemyslaw Mysiala.

The former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion was suspended for 12 months following a KO win over Lorenz Larkin in early 2012 after testing positive for steroids. The bout was subsequently ruled a no contest. Lawal later attributed his failed test to an over-the-counter supplement.

The NCAA Division I wrestler was then released from his Strikeforce contract after posting derogatory comments about NSAC commissioner Pat Lundvall on Twitter.

As for Newton, he punched his ticket to the semi-final round with a submission win over Atanas Djambazov at Bellator 85 two weeks ago.

COUTURE'S REAL DEAL

Randy (The Natural) Couture has signed on to coach Bellator Fighting Championship’s upcoming reality show.

Spike TV sent out a release Tuesday confirming a partnership with the MMA legend. The details of the agreement were not disclosed.

However, Sports Illustrated is reporting the multi-year agreement includes a variety of projects, the first of which will see Couture coach on Bellator’s much talked-about reality series. Though details are scarce on the show, it begins filming in February.

A five-time UFC champion, Couture is one of only two fighters to hold titles in two different UFC weight classes, having captured the light-heavyweight and heavyweight belts. The other is B.J. Penn, who won the lightweight and welterweight straps. Former 155-pound champ Frankie Edgar has the opportunity to join the list when he challenges featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo at UFC 156 on Saturday.

Couture holds victories over Vitor Belfort, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Kevin Randleman and Tim Sylvia. He retired from fighting following a KO loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 in Toronto on April 30, 2011.